Combination tool for opening, sealing, and puncturing a paint can

Abstract

A tool is provided for use with a paint can and a lid adapted to be positioned within a generally peripherally arranged channel in the paint can. The tool includes first and second spaced prongs and a downwardly extending spike, all of which extend downwardly from the underside of a generally elongated body portion. The tool has a sharp edge which can be used for prying the lid from the can channel. The downwardly extending spike and the second prong are used to form a plurality of apertures in the can channel, and the underside of the first end of the elongated body and the first prong are used to seal the lid in the can channel.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A tool used in conjunction with a can and a lid for sealing the can, the can having a generally U-shaped sealing channel with a peripherally extending bead, said lid having a downwardly extending impressed channel adapted to be inserted into said U-shaped sealing channel, said tool being adapted to pry said lid from said can, puncture said sealing channel to form holes therein, and seal said lid onto said can after said can has been used, said tool comprising: (a) an elongated body having a first end, a second end, an upper surface, and an underside, said first end terminating in a sharp edge, said sharp edge comprising means for prying said lid from said can by inserting said sharp edge between said lid and said can bead;   (b) first and second prongs which are spaced apart from each other, both of said prongs extending downwardly from the underside of said elongated body, both of said prongs also having free ends inclined towards said first end of said body;   (c) means for piercing holes in said sealing channel when said lid is removed from said sealing channel, said means for piercing holes in said sealing channel comprising said second prong and a spike extending downwardly from the underside of said elongated body at a position located between said first and said second spaced apart prongs, said spike being angled and having a pointed tip which is inclined towards said second end of said elongated body, said spike being adapted to pierce said sealing channel of said can when a free end of said second prong is positioned under said can bead and the pointed end of said spike is forced through the can channel by leveraging said tool; and   (d) means for seating and sealing said lid in said sealing channel by pressing said lid into said sealing channel.   
     
     
       2. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein said lid sealing means comprises said first end of said body portion and said first prong, said first end being adapted to force said impressed lid channel into said can sealing channel when said first prong engages said bead and said second end is forced upwardly. 
     
     
       3. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first and second prongs are stamped from said elongated body such that apertures are created in said body above said first and second prongs. 
     
     
       4. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second end of said elongated body includes an aperture for hanging said tool from a fastening element. 
     
     
       5. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tool is formed from metal. 
     
     
       6. A tool used in conjunction with a lid having a generally downwardly extending impressed channel and an outer periphery and a can having an upper end and a generally downwardly U-shaped sealing channel extending about the periphery of said can, said sealing channel having a bead extending generally outwardly from said sealing channel, said tool being adapted to pry said lid from said can, to puncture said sealing channel of said can, and to seat and seal said lid within said sealing channel, said tool comprising: (a) a generally arcuate and elongated body having a first end and a second end, said first end terminating in a generally sharp edge, said elongated body having an upper surface and an underside;   (b) first and second spaced apart prongs stamped out of said generally elongated body and extending downwardly from the underside of said generally elongated body, both of said prongs including free edges which are inclined towards said first end of said elongated body; and   (c) a generally downwardly directed spike extending from the underside of said elongated body portion and having a free pointed end, said free pointed end being directed towards said second end of said elongated body, said sharp edge of said first end comprising means for prying said lid from said can by inserting said edge between the periphery of said lid and said can bead, said second prong and said spike comprising means for forming at least one aperture in said can channel when said free end of said second prong is positioned under said can bead and said pointed end of said spike is forced through said can channel, and said first prong and the underside of said elongated body adjacent said first end together comprising means for sealing said lid into said can channel when the free end of said first prong is positioned under said can bead and the underside of said front end of said elongated body portion is forced downwardly onto the upper surface of said lid.